Aerosol product residue eliminator



Jan. 20, 1970 5. scHwARTzMAN AEROSOL PRODUCT RESIDUE ELIMINATOR Filed Feb. 8, 1968 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,490,658 AEROSOL PRODUCT RESIDUE ELIMINATOR Gilbert Schwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 Filed Feb. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 704,088 Int. Cl. B65d 83/00 US. Cl. 222402.12 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an aerosol container construction and more particularly to a device for eliminating product residue at the discharge head of an aerosol container while facilitating the delivery of fluids, pastes, foams, jellies, and the like such as shaving cream, toothpaste, cosmetics, medications, pigments, soaps, polishes, and the like.

Various materials are especially adapted for packaging in aerosol containers. However, the valve controlling fluid flow induced by the propellant is widely spaced from the discharge head of the container so that even after the actuator button is released, product residue continues to drip from the discharge head. Thus, especially in the case of foamed products, the delivery head often becomes caked with residue rendering such most unappealing. When foodstuff are being delivered, the product often becomes unappetizing, if not spoiled. Further, in the case of a foamed product, the residual material in the button actuator keeps foaming and there is a leftover dribble action at the discharge opening.

The present invention has for its primary object the provision of a device for eliminating product residue on the delivery head and for preventing air and/or other contaminants entering the container.

The construction of this invention features the use of a valve assembly which is normally urged by helical springs under stress into a closed position so that only upon application of the pressure due to fluid passing through the button actuator can material flow.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of an aerosol product reside eliminator for aerosol containers for use in delivering, applying or metering foamed material, fluids, pastes, or jellies, that is simple in construction, capable of being used on various existing types of aerosol containers, and which is inexpensive to manufacture, thereby permitting wide use and distribution.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of this invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this aerosol product residue eliminator, a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an aerosol product residue eliminator on an aerosol container showing the device in a normally closed position;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the invention in a valve open position after depression of the button actuator;

3,490,658 Patented Jan. 20, 1970 FIG. 3 is an end elevational view illustrating the manner in which the discharge head is constructed looking in the direction of arrows 3--3 in FIG. 2, and,

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plane of line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate an aerosol container of conventional construction employing a button actuator 11 provided with a right angle bore 12 opening into a delivery chamber 13. The outer end 14 of the button actuator 11 is of reduced cross sectional dimensions and is provided with external threads 15.

A discharge head 16 is provided with internal threads 17 for threaded engagement with the internal threads 15 and is provided with a discharge opening 18 therethrough communicating with the chamber 13. A plurality of spacers 19 are an integral part of the discharge head 16 and extend inwardly of the opening 18 and are provided with downwardly converging tapered surfaces 20.

A valve member generally indicated at 30 and having a substantially conical valve head 32, a valve stem or rod 34, a ring 36, and helical springs 38, and a pressure cup 39 all either integrally molded with each other, or formed in two parts with the stem 34 connected to the pressure cup 39 is provided. The valve head 32 may be outwardly flared prior to insertion in the tube and when such an arrangement is used in an integrally molded valve member, the valve head is forced through the opening 18 utilizing a suitable tool. This is possible because of the resilient construction of the valve head. Alternatively, the valve head 32 may be outwardly flared after insertion of the device in the discharge head.

It is noted that the springs 38 are constantly under compression thereby continuously urging the valve head against the tapered surfaces 20.

The valve member is disposed with the ring 36 engaging the inner surface of the discharge head 16. The ring 36 is of a larger diameter than the opening 18. The spacers 19 center the rod 34 and the valve head 32 is of a size and configuration that its outer surface 44 lies flush with the outer surface 25 of the discharge head 16 when in a closed position.

In use, depression of the button actuator 11 will cause fluid, foam or the like to pass through the right angle bore 12 and into the dicharge chamber 13 and thence against the pressure cup 39 which causes further compression of springs 38 thence past the valve head 32 which it will lift against the compressive forces on the springs 38. Release of the button actuator 11 will permit the helical springs 38 to force the valve head 32 back to its closed position preventing residue of the delivered product from seeping outwardly such as occurs when there is foaming in the chamber 13 of residue amounts of the product.

Further, closure of the valve head 32 reduces or prevents contamination of the contents. The pressure cup 39 is disposed immediately adjacent the end of the right angle bore 12 to ensure fluid pressure action therein to open the valve head 32.

I claim:

1. An aerosol product residue eliminator comprising an aerosol container having a button actuator provided with a right angle bore therethrough and having an outer end of reduced cross sectional configuration, said outer end having external threads, a discharge head threadedly secured on said outer end and having an opening for permitting fluid flow therethrough and defining a valve seat, a valve member disposed in said opening neck and having an outwardly flared resilient valve head engaging said valve seat for closing said opening, said valve member including a ring of larger diameter than said opening engaging said discharge head at a location spaced from said valve seat, spring means interconnecting said valve head and said ring for continuously urging said valve head into resilient engagement with said valve seat to prevent product residue from seeping past said valve head, said valve member including a pressure cup of larger diameter than said right angle bore and being spaced from said ring so that fluid pressure On said pressure cup will open said valve member, said valve member further including an elongated rod extending through and spaced from said ring and having an end remote from said valve head, said spring means including a plurality of spaced helical spring members under compression integrally interconnected to said rig and said pressure cup.

2. An aerosol product residue eliminator according to claim 1, wherein said valve head is of lesser diameter than said right angle bore and said pressure cup and is substantially conical in shape and has its outer surface lying flush with said discharge head.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,982,294 1 1 /1934 Grifi'in 222-496 2,080,427 5/1937 McLaughlin 222-496 2,715,481 8/1955 McGhie et a1. 222-402.13 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 627,319 6/ 1927 France. 1,427,649 1/1966 France.

376,844 5/ 1964 Switzerland.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

